A Grown-Up Lent

Changes allow us to stretch and grow as a community of faith and as an individual. Have you been searching for a way to make changes in your life? Here is a suggested reading and a list of possible changes to make. For it is in giving that we receive, it is in opening up to change and making that effort to to expand that we can grow.

Anne Abdy

To the People of God,

As Joanna Leiserson, author of A Grown-Up Lent: When Giving Up Chocolate Isn’t Enough, writes, “I love Lent! It begins with Ash Wednesday when the world seems to change. Even the air around us seems muted, for just this day as if the planet itself were listening.” (p. 1)

I love the idea that the world is muted. That the world stops to briefly pause, then changes or adapts to what’s next. Lent is a season of deep reflection and a season for change. This is true for the church too. You may have noticed changes to the worship service. Liturgically we have transitioned to purple. We are using the Penitential Order, Traditional Lord’s Prayer, and at the 8 o’clock service on the last Sunday of each month (beginning this Sunday) Rite I will be said. All these changes help to guide us through this season.

Change is also on the horizon in with our office equipment. Our present copier is well-used and has aged thus the decision was made by the vestry to not renew the contract. In time, a new desktop copier will be purchased allowing for the use of letter-size paper only. Consequently, our bulletin has changed to make for this accommodation. Please let us know how you like the new format.

We are working towards the full-service cast on the screens at the 10:30 am service. Micro-changes that have been made include the Sunday readings and prayers of the people projected onto the screens. This is to be more efficient, provide cost savings, and to allow for those watching remotely to fully participate in the service.

Changes can be difficult, but changes allow for us to stretch and grow as a community of faith. As we enter the fourth week of Lent next week, here are some more suggestions on practices for this season of Lent.

Don’t’ buy anything you don’t need.
Throw away 40 things for 40 days.
No gossiping.
Work out daily to take care of the body God gave you.
Don’t eat after dinner.
Say 3 nice things to your spouse and kids daily.
Don’t eat out for 40 days
Replace 30 minutes of TV or screen time with devotion/prayer time.
Do not complain or speak negatively.
Sit down and have a meal as a family or with someone.
Be silent for 30 minutes.
Post only positive quotes on your social media.
Stop worrying about tomorrow but focus on today.
Volunteer in a ministry that you’ve always wanted to do.

Blessings,

Rev. Anne+